Electrically illuminated device



Nov. 5, 1935. H. T. KINGSBURY 2,020,192

I ELEGTRICALLY ILLUMINATED DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV. 5, 1935. K|NGSBURY 2,020,192

ELECTRICALLY ILLUMI NATED DEVI CE Filed Jan. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,020,192 ELECTRICALLY ILLUMINATED DEVICE Application January 26, 1934, Serial No. 708,461

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in electrically illuminated devices and more particularly to improved electrically lighted jack olanterns.

5 An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrically lighted jack olantern or similar device wherein an electric battery is supported at one end of a post member and wherein an electric light bulb and an enclosing member therefor are supported at the opposite end of said post member, said enclosing member being perforated or otherwise constructed to permit light to pass through the same at certain places.

5 A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrically illuminated device, of the type referred to, wherein means are provided for supporting the electric battery at the lower end of the post member so that the principal weight of the device will be at the base thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device, of the type referred to, a novel wiring system and switch mechanism for illuminating the device.

The invention still further aims to provide a compact and efficient device, of the character described, which is inexpensive to manufacture and which may be easily operated and moved 0 about about by the operator.

The above and other objects of the. invention will in part be obvious and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a front view showing the assembled device.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the assembled device partly in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom view showing the battery retainer.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing a modified form 01' the assembled device.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view taken along line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section, showing another form of support for the battery and the light bulb.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which an inflatable member may be mounted on the post or handle member.

The present invention relates generally to an electrically illuminated jack olantern or similar device'which'may be used as a toy by children.

The device comprises generally a post member which serves as a handle and also serves to support an electric battery. The upper end of the post member extends into a hollow member, which is suitably mounted thereon and carries 5 an electric light bulb which is electrically connected to the battery at the lower end of the post member. A switch is mounted on the post member so that the operator, when grasping the same may complete the electric lighting circuit 10 and may, at the same time, raise and lower the device at will. In this manner, since the weight of the device is in the handle part, a child may easily manipulate the device and raise the same to a windowor other opening and then turn on r the light in order to illuminate the hollow member; Similarly the device may be left standing on a sill or other surface since the principal weight thereof is at'the base.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and

particularly to Figs- 1, 2 and 3 thereof, a dry cell battery Ill is shown supported between two arcuate metal casing members II, I2 which converge inwardly above the battery to form offset arcuate portions I3, I4. The casing members II, I2 do not touch each other at any point so that they are electrically insulated from one another. The bottom edges Ila, I211 of the casing members II, I2 respectively are curled inwardly to provide grooves. The ends I5a of a doubly bent spring wire member I5 are inserted in the groove formed by the curled edge Ila of the member II. The convolutions of the wire member I5 prevent the same from turning and also support the battery I0 and contact with the bottom terminal there depressed into contact with the battery terminal to complete the lighting circuit. The offset arcuate portions I3, l4 are provided with lugs I3a, I 40. respectively which are embedded in a post member II of suitable insulating material so that the battery and easing members are thus supported on the post member I'l.

Thepost member I! is provided with diametrically opposed grooves in which are placed conducting wiresIB, iii, the ends I8a I941. respectively of which are coiled and remain in direct contact with the metal portions l3, l4 respectively of the casing members. The upper end of the post member I1 is provided with a recess 28. A metal cap member 2| is fitted over the top end of the post and the depending skirt portions 2 la thereof are secured to the post member l1. The cap member 2| is provided with an opening to receive the threaded end 220, of a light bulb 22, the central terminal of which is adapted to contact with the angularly bent end Nb of the conducting wire I9. The end 181) of the Wire I8 is adapted to contact with the other terminal of the light bulb.

An enclosing member which consists of two sections 23, 24 of very thin metal is secured to the top end of the post member I1. The sections 23, 24 are provided with neck portions 23a, 24a respectively which fit around the end of the post member I1 and are secured thereto by a bolt 25b. The section 24 is perforated at intervals to depict a face of some character. It will be seen, therefore, that when the switch wire I6 is depressed so that it contacts the battery terminal Illa, the electric lighting circuit will be completed through the wire IS, the casing member II and the wire 18 to the light bulb and through the other battery terminal Illa, the switch wire I6, the casing member I2 and the wire l9 to the light bulb.

Referring now to Figs. 4, and 6 of the accompanying drawings, a modified form of the device is illustrated. The arcuate sheet metal casing members 25, 26 are adapted to partially enclose an electric battery 21 which is cylindrical in shape but it is to be understood that the casing members may be made of any form to fit any desired shape of battery. Each casing member is provided with grooves 25a, 26a which are diametrically opposed to one another. A post or bracket member is composed of two sheet metal portions 28, 29 each of which is offset at the lower end thereof as at 30. The offset ends 3|, 32 of the portions 28, 29 respectively are provided with grooves 31a, 320. which are adapted to register with the grooves 25a, 26a on the battery casing members 25, 26 respectively. A clip or metal member 33 is welded or otherwise secured to the casing member 25 at the lower edge thereof. This clip 33 is also provided with a groove to register with the groove 31a in the member 3|. A wire 34 passes through the groove between the clip 33 and the casing member 25 and further extends through the groove formed between the casing member 25 and the offset end 3| of the metal portion 28. The lower end 34a of the wire 34 is bent inwardly to contact with the bottom of the battery. The upper end 34b of the wire 34 is also bent inwardly to engage the top of the battery. The lower end 3411 of the wire serves to contact with the zinc terminal of the battery and also aids in holding the battery in place within the casing members. A second wire member 35 extends into the groove formed between the casing member 26 and the oifset end 32 of the metal portion 29. This wire is then bent inwardly at right angles to provide a lever portion 35a which is normally spaced from the battery terminal 36 but which may be pressed downwardly to engage the terminal when it is desired to complete the electric lighting circuit.

The metal portions 28, 29 of the post extend upwardly into a pumpkin head 31 or other hollow member which may be made of any desired material, and which may be provided with openings or which may be of transparent material to allow the light to shine through. Adjacent the offset portions 38, the metal portions 28, 29 are riveted or otherwise secured to a wooden block 38 which strengthens the device and serves 5 to hold the metal portions 28, 29 in spaced relation. The metal portion 28 is provided with a right angled portion 39 having an opening therein to receive the sleeve or base portion 48 of a light bulb 4|. A threaded portion 42 on the member 28 is adapted to engage the threads on the light base and contact therewith. The metal portion 29 is provided with a right angled portion 43 which engages the terminal 44 of the light bulb and serves to additionally support the bulb.

A supporting member 45 having radially extending arms 46 is welded, or otherwise secured to the metal portion 28. The radial arms 46 are provided with upstanding ends 41 which pass through the hollow member 31 and may bebent over to engage the inner surface thereof. A similar supporting member 45a is likewise provided with radial arms 46a which have upstanding ends 41a adapted to pass through the hollow member 31. The hollow member 31 is thus supported on the radial arms 46, 46a. and is held in position by the upstanding ends 41, 41a. on said arms.

It will be noted that the end 34a. of the wire 34 is in contact with the base of the battery 21 which is, in this instance, the zinc terminal thereof. The wire 34 is, likewise, in intimate contact with the offset end 3| of the metal portion 28. The wire is in contact with the offset end 32 of the metal portion 29. Thus, when 35 the switch member 35a is depressed into contact with the battery terminal 36, an electric circuit is completed through the metal portions 28, 29 to the light bulb. The metal portion 29 contacts with the light bulb terminal 44 through the member 43 and the metal portion 28 contacts with the sleeve portion 40 of the light bulb through the members 39, 42 and in this manner the lighting circuit is completed.

In Fig. 7 another form of the invention is illustrated. In this instance, the battery 21 is held between two casing members 48, 49 which converge inwardly above the battery to form offset portions 50, 5|. The wire 35 is held between the casing member 49 and the battery 21 and is thus 50 in contact with the said casing member. The lower portion 35a of the wire is adapted to be depressed into contact with the battery terminal 36. The casing member 48 is provided with portions 52 and 53 thereof slightly offset from the 55 plane of the casing and partially severed therefrom along horizontal lines spaced from the top and bottom of the battery. The wire 34 has the end 34a thereof bent to engage the bottom or zinc terminal of the battery to support the same and to complete the electric circuit. The wire extends upwardly between the portion 53 and the battery and then lies against the casing member 48 and finally passes between the portion 52 and the battery. The end 34b of the wire is then bent over to extend through the casing member and adapted to engage the top of the battery. The offset portions 56, 51 of the casing members are provided with lugs 54 which engage a wood post 55 which extends upwardly into the hollow member 31 (not shown). The wood post 55 is provided with grooves 56, 56a which are diametrically opposed and which extend substantially the length of the post. A threaded metallic member 51 is secured in the top of the post 55 and is adapted to receive the sleeve'or threaded-end! of the bulb 4!. Wires 58, 59 areadapted to lie in the grooves 56, 55a respectively. The lower ends of the wires 58, 59 are curled, as at 68, so that when the portions 58, 5| of the casing members are secured to the post 55, the ends 68 of the wires will be firmly clamped to provide an intimate contact with the portions 58, 5|. The upper end iii of the wire 59 is bent to extend through an opening in the post and is adapted to contact with the metallic member 51. The upper end 62 of the wire 58 is likewise adapted to contact with the side of the metallic member 51. The electric lighting circuit is completed by pressing the portion 85a of the wire 35 into contact with the battery terminal 36 and the current passes through the casing members to the offset portions 58, 5| thereof and then to the wires '58, 59 and finally to the light bulb.

In Fig. 8, a balloon 63 is shown mounted on the metal members 28, 29 which form the post. A piece of thick rubber tubing 84 issecuredbetween the members 28, 29. A flexible tube 85 is cemented within the tubing 64 and serves to inflate the balloon. Layers of tape 66 are then wound around the tubing and the neck of the balloon is placed over the same. A cylindrical member 61 having a tapered outer wall is then placed over the neck of the balloon and. a disk shaped support 68 is placed over the member 61 to seal the joint. The upper disk portion 69 of the support 88 is adapted to support the balloon in an upright position. The upper end of the post 21 is provided with a light bulb (not shown) which may be operated in the manner heretofore described. The balloon may be inflated through the flexible tube 65 which-is then doubled over and secured to prevent the escape of air. The tube may be placed between the members 28, 29 when not used.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a novel lighting device, adapted for use by children, is herein provided. The battery is supported by a casing which serves as an electrical conductor to provide an electric current from the battery to the light bulb. The batte y is supported at the bottom of the post whereby the weight is in the bottom of the device and in this manner, the device may be easily lifted by a child. Of course the casing may be provided with a bottom part, if desired, to additionally aid in supporting the battery. An extremely inexpensive device of the character described is herewith provided and one which is easily operated and handled.

It is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from-the scope of the invention as set forth .in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1-. An electrically illuminated device comprising a two-part casing adapted to support a battery between the parts, a two-part post member having each part secured to a corresponding part of the casing, a light bulb supported in the top of said post, a wire member bent to contact with the bottom terminal of the battery and supported between one part of the casing and a corresponding part of the post, and means for completing an electric lighting circuit between said battery and said light bulb.

2. An electrically illuminated device comprlsing, in combination, a post member, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member,

a two-part metal casing secured to the lower end-of said post member, a battery between the parts of said casing, a retaining wire secured to the lower end of one part'of said casing whereby -to hold the battery and to contact with the .terminal thereof, a switch device secured to the other part of said casing, and conducting wires embedded in said post member and contacting with the parts of said casing and the light bulb terminals whereby to complete the electric circuit between said battery and said light bulb.

3. An electrically illuminated device comprising, in combination, a post member, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member, two arcuate metal casing members secured to the lower end of said post member and depending therefrom, a battery between said casing members, a doubly bent retaining wire having the ends thereof secured to the bottom of said casing members whereby to hold said battery and to contact with a terminal thereof, a switch wire secured to the other of said casing members and being disposed directly over the other battery terminal, and conducting wires embedded insaid post member, one of said conducting wires being in electric contact with one casing member and with one terminal of said light bulb and the other of said conducting wires being in electric contact with the other casing member and with the other terminal of said light bulb.

4. An electrically illuminated device comprising a casing having similar sections insulated from each other, a battery supported by said casing, a post member secured to said casing and including separate conducting members eachcontacting with one section of said casing, a wire member mounted on one section of said casing and contacting with a batteryterminal and servingto support said battery, a switch device mounted on the other section of said casing and adapted to contact with the other battery terminal, and a light bulb carried by said post member and electrically connected to the conducting members of said post member.

5. An electrically illuminated device comprising a casing having similar sections insulated from eachother and serving'as electrical conductors, a battery supported by said casing, a post device including similar conducting members connected to corresponding sections of said casing, a light bulb carried by said post device,'a wire member secured to one section of saidicasing and in contact with one battery terminal and adapted to aid in supporting said battery, and a wire member secured to the other section of said casing and adapted to be urged into and out of contact with the other battery terminal whereby to control the electric lighting circuit.

.6. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member, a casing secured to the lower end of said post member and including a plurality of similar side sections insulated from one another, a battery supported between the sections of said casing, an electric light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member, means including one of said casing sections for providing an electrical connection between one terminal of said battery and one terminal of said light bulb, and means including another of said casing sections and a switch device for providing an electrical connection between the other battery terminal and the other light bulb terminal.

7. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member, a casing secured to the lower end of said post member and including a pair of similar side sections insulated from one another, a battery supported between said sections, means for electrically connecting each of said sections with a separate battery terminal, and means for electrically connecting each terminal of said light bulb with a separate casing section.

8. An electrically illuminated device comprising a two-part post member, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member and having each terminal electrically connected to a separate part of said post member, a two-part casing secured to the lower end of said post member and having each part thereof electrically connected to a corresponding part of said post member, and means for electrically connecting each part of said casing with a separate battery terminal whereby to illuminate said light bulb.

9. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member including a pair of substantially similar parts, serving as electrical conductors, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member and having each terminal thereof in electrical contact with a separate part of said post member, a casing carried by the lower end of said post member and including a pair of substantially similar sections, each of said sections being electrically connected to a corresponding part of said post member, a conducting member carried by one section of said casing and contacting with the lower terminal of said battery, said member being adapted to aid in supporting said battery, and a switch device associated with the other section of said casing and adapted to contact with the other battery terminal whereby to illuminate said light bulb.

10. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member including a pair of substantially similar parts, serving as electrical conductors, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member and having each terminal thereof in electrical contact with a separate part of said post member, a casing carried by the lower end of said post member and including a pair of substantially similar sections, each of said sections being electrically connected to a corresponding part of said post member, a conducting member carried by one section of said casing and contacting with the lower terminal of said battery, a hollow member enclosing said light bulb and through at least a part of which the light from said bulb is visible, and means for securing said hollow member to said post member.

11. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member carrying a pair of conducting members, a casing secured to the lower end of said post member and including a pair of sections insulated from one another, each of said sections being in electrical contact with a corresponding conducting member, a battery supported between the sections of said casing, a

light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member and electrically connected with said conducting members, and means for electrically connecting each of said sections with a corresponding terminal of said battery whereby to provide an electric light circuit.

12. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member, a pair of conducting members carried by said post member, an electric light bulb, means for mounting said light bulb on the upper end of said post member with the terminals thereof in electrical contact with said conducting members, a casing secured to the lower end of said post member and including a pair 1 of sections insulated from one another, each of said sections being in electrical contact with a corresponding conducting member, a battery disposed between the sections of said casing, means for preventing movement of said battery relative 21 to said sections and including a wire member contacting with one terminal of said battery and with one of said sections whereby to electrically connect said battery terminal with one of said light bulb terminals, and switch means for con- 25 necting the other battery terminal with the other light bulb terminal.

13. An electrically illuminated device comprising a post member having a recess in the upper end thereof, a pair of conducting members car- 3( ried by said post member, one of said conducting members having a bent end extending into said recess, a light bulb, means for mounting said light bulb in said recess with the central terminal thereof in contact with the said bent end 35 of said conducting member, the other of said conducting members being electrically connected to the other light bulb terminal, a casing secured to the lower end of said post member and including a pair of sections insulated from one 40 another, each of said sections contacting with a corresponding conducting member, a battery supported between the sections of said casing, and means for electrically connecting each of said sections to a separate terminal whereby to provide an electric light circuit.

14. An electrically illuminated device compris ing a two-part post member, a light bulb carried by the upper end of said post member and having each terminal thereof connected to a sep- 50 arate part of said post member, a two-part casing secured to the lower end of said post member and having each part thereof electrically connected to a corresponding part of said post member, means for electrically connecting each part 55 of said casing with a separate battery terminal whereby to illuminate said light bulb, an inflatable member mounted on said post member for enclosing said light bulb, and means located between the parts of said post member for permitting inflation of said member.

HARRY T. KIN GSBURY.

of said battery 45 

